One of the ways that we raise money to help fund our ministry is through the affiliate’s ReStore, which is in its fourth year of operation. (A ReStore is just a store where we sell both used and new items for the home.) Currently, the ReStore is one of the keys to developing the affiliate’s presence in our community.  Northwest Orange County has many generous donors and volunteers whose time and treasures enable us to build affordable housing. The resale of donated appliances, furniture and home improvement materials to the public enables our affiliate to support our housing ministry. We have recently added almost 5,000 square feet of additional space for our new home improvement center, so that we can provide many types of home improvement supplies at extremely attractive prices.  We very much appreciate all of our volunteers, donors and shoppers without whom we could not meet our obligations to the community.

We have now finished renovating 12 apartment units for a housing agency which was our way of supplying much needed housing in a difficult time, and this is an important milestone for our affiliate.  Even in a difficult economy we believe that a goal of building 12 homes per year is within our grasp; however, we still need to acquire more land. The cost of land in Central Florida is the biggest obstacle we face.  We need donated land or funds to purchase land to achieve our stated goals and enhance our capacity to serve more families in need of homes in the Apopka area. We offer many donor incentives for donations of land associated with the Orange County Work-Force Housing Task Force (which may allow a developer to increase density), or through our designation as a sponsor of the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program in which qualifying donors can receive a 50% tax credit or refund on the market value of their donation. Due to the poor economy there is a slight increase in affordable housing and the cost of land has come down to a more reasonable level.  However, the same forces that are driving down the cost of housing are responsible for a massive increase in need. Therefore, we must work harder than ever to ensure that affordable, decent housing is available to many more families in our community.

We are working on more initiatives to help Anthony House and others to get people off the street, provide housing for the less fortunate and provide decent housing for our work-force of teachers, policemen and firemen. Please continue to support our mission with your generosity and your prayers. Providing affordable work-force housing not only creates opportunities for families in need, it strengthens the economic and social fabric of our community!

Call our office at 407-880-8881 to learn more about these opportunities!

Richard L. Belschner
President, Habitat-Apopka Board of Directors